The Irish Fireside Secret Santa 2013 Gift Reports Are Here

Another year of our Ireland-themed gift exchange has been underway with presents crisscrossing the globe and spreading some Celtic holiday cheer. To showcase their treats, several Irish Firesiders shared what they found in their mailboxes this year…

Thank you Lynda from New Jersey for this lovely Christmas decoration. It will remind me of my Secret Santa for many years to come. -- Eithne in Co Limerick, Ireland

Just took a pic with my lovely scarf that Christina in Washington sent me...I had her in the swap too actually. -- Ruby in Illinois.

My Secret Santa was Bill from New York and he sent me a lovely book called Just The Way It Was. The book is by Thomas Gilrane, who grew up very near his (Bill's) grandfather in County Leitrim, Ireland. What a great gift!! -- Teresa in Idaho

I received a box of Macadamia Roca candy, a jar of Ballymaloe Country relish and a postcard of a print of The Four Courts, Dublin, 1793 from Guinevere in Singapore. Thanks, Guinevere! -- Bette in Florida

My Secret Santa gift arrived a little late, but finally found its way from the US to Europe: Becky from Massachusetts sent me a beautiful St. Bridget's cross ornament to protect my house from fire and a soap bar with Celtic designs on it. Really lovely! Thanks a million Becky and thanks Irish Fireside! -- Claudine in Vienna, Austria

My Secret Santa gift arrived today, and I was thrilled to find a lovely shamrock charm and beautiful Irish linen handkerchief inside as well as a very pretty card with a message from .....guess who....Ann from Illinois, MY assignment!!! What a lovely surprise. -- Therese in New South Wales

I got my gift from Alesia in Massachusetts today. She sent a cool Norman Rockwell Christmas card and a great little bottle of maple syrup. I'll have to make some pancakes on New Years Day! -- Travis in Idaho

I received a Celtic cross and a shamrock ornament from Suzette in Ohio. -- Chris in Texas

I received a beautiful shamrock ornament from Lynda in Illinios today. Thank you for this wonderful and fun holiday experience. -- Stacy in Minnesota

Here's my gift from Ruby in Illinois. She made the earrings and took the photo herself. -- Christina in Washington

I received a hand made plaque from Amy and her lovely family, John and Grace from Illinois. It is hanging in my entryway as I type and may just stay there through all if 2014. Amy's creativity is very much appreciated. Happy gift giving and memory making to you and yours this holiday season! -- Wendy in California

My Secret Santa present arrived from Claudine in Austria! She sent a harp ornament made out of turf, a pocket calendar, and a magnet of Irish pubs. AND one of the pubs pictured is Foley's Pub --my maiden name. So special. Thanks! -- Becky in Massachusetts

My Secret Santa Anne from California sent me her very own CD of her harp music! I love it, Thank you! -- Angela in Florida

I received a harp mug from Melissa in California. How appropriate! My Secret Santa must have known that I play the harp! Merry Merry. -- Anne in California

I received this beautiful Irish coffee mug from my Ernie in Massachusetts and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Love it!! Thanks Ernie and Irish Fireside! -- Patricia in New Hampshire

Just got my gift from Keith in Indiana, a book of Irish tales. -- Debi in Michigan

I came home from a very difficult day at work and found my gift from Micheal from Washington waiting for me! My gift could not have arrived on a better day. I have given it a place of honor on my mantle. -- Karen in North Carolina

I opened a whole envelope of goodies... a book by an Irish nun, some lucky shamrocks, a St Patrick's Day ribbon, and a handmade angel. I love my little treasures from Judy in Texas. -- Pat in Michigan

My gift arrived from Pat in Michigan, and it is so gorgeous! It has pride of place on our tree 🙂 Best secret Santa ever! -- Guinevere in Singapore

Cindy T in Ohio sent me her book, Brigid of Ireland and a lovely magnet. Both are appreciated and will be enjoyed. BTW, Secret Santa nearly cost me my marriage. LOL! My wife wanted to know who Cindy was when my gift had arrived 🙂 -- Richard in Oklahoma

I received an Irish Blessing wall plaque, a pocket coin with another Irish blessing on one side and a wee Irish cottage on the other, and a CD of Soothing Sounds for Body and Soul Blended with Beautiful Music. Boy, do my body and soul ever need soothing about now! Jennifer from Pennsylvania made great choices! -- Judy in Texas

A beautiful Irish Blessing ornament arrived today from Angela in Florida. Now I will head out to pick up a tree to put it on. Or maybe I will just hang it year round to keep the blessing in our thoughts. Thank you so much!! Christmas Cheers -- Sherry in South Carolina

I received this beautiful Irish Trivet from Kim in Florida! Who happened to be the person I sent to last year!! Thank you for hosting this! -- Jennifer in Pennsylvania

I got this lovely mug from Janice in Ohio. I love it. LOVE IT. -- Camille in Utah

I received a beautiful wall calendar from Patricia in New Hampshire! It was accompanied by a lovely note. I look forward to an Irish picture on every day of 2014! -- Ernest in Massachusetts

I received my gifts from Bette in Florida with a lovely card explaining that both the beautiful calendar and tea towel had been bought in Ireland during Bette's last trip. She said she always brought these items back to keep Ireland alive for her, and now she can share that with me. -- Ginger in Indiana

While I was recuperating from surgery, I had my husband take pictures of me opening my gift with my dog Ronan’s help. My Secret Santa was Travis of Idaho and The Engaging Ireland Podcast. He sent me wonderful photo’s that he took on one of his visits to Ireland. I love them. - Alesia in Massachusetts

I just received a box from my Secret Santa, Ginger of Indiana, a Willow Street Irish Charm dancer! What a wonderful surprise to come home from work to! Thank you so much!! - Jeanie in Maryland

My gift came from a clever knitter named Sherry from South Carolina. It was hard to capture its full loveliness in a photo. But here it is with a bit of green bedazzle! Thanks to my Santa and thanks to the Irish Fireside for a fine Christmas tradition! -- Kim in Florida

Thanks to Christopher of Texas, who sent me this wonderful CD of Daniel Furlong, who won the all Ireland talent show in 2011. Christopher sent this early but I had put it in packages my daughter was having sent here for Christmas. She lives in Texas also and ships her gifts here. So I got a surprise when we went to wrap her gifts today! Thanks Christopher, and Merry Christmas to all! -- Suzette in Ohio

I was spoiled! I received an Irish Tenors Christmas CD, a lovely piece of Connemara marble and a beautiful Irish Christmas card. I love my gifts! Thank you, Patrick from Ohio. Merry Christmas, Firesiders. -- Rachel in Pennsylvania

Teresa in Idaho sent me a clever combination of the potato tradition of Ireland and Idaho. This fudge uses potatoes to replace 1/3 of the sugar. Merry Christmas! -- Bill in Connecticut

My Secret Santa Cindy J from Ohio sent a beautiful journal. In her note- which preceded the journal by 4 days and kept me anticipating the arrival of 'a package' - said that she has had one of these for years and it reminds her of her trip to Ireland. It's subtly decorated pages are perfect for the words that seem to flow so easily when in the "land of saints and scholars". -- Jody in Iowa

Kathy in Idaho treated me to a beautiful photo she took in Ireland, an Irish keychain, and a calendar. What wonderful gifts. -- Annette in Michigan

I received magnets of Irish pubs and Irish whiskey fudge. I'm sure I will realy enjoy this. Thanks Stacy in Minnesota. -- Lynda in Illinois

My secret Santa gift from Tammie from Georgia took the long way around... Arrived Christmas Eve... Well worth the wait! -- Bit in Arizona

Attached is a picture of a beautiful hand painted Celtic "S" from Camille in Utah. I love my gift very much. -- Janice in Ohio

I received a beautiful calendar made by Amy in Virginia using photographs from her family's recent trip to Ireland. I love it! Now I can look at it and dream about going. Thanks Amy! -- Joanna in Florida

Eithne in Ardpatrick, Ireland... thank you for the Secret Santa gifts. I will enjoy reading the local papers and the CD has lovely music. -- Lynda in New Jersey

I received a beautiful ornament all the way from Oz thanks to my Secret Santa, Therese in New South Wales. A lovely note explaining her Irish roots accompanied her gift. The ornament will have a special spot on my tree, and I will think of my pal in Australia every year when I decorate the tree. -- Ann in Illinois